Airlines face legal action over excess baggage fees by Consumer Centre
In a significant move, consumer advocates in Europe have launched a legal battle against several budget airlines over alleged unlawful carry-on baggage fees. The lawsuit, filed by German consumer group Tochterschutz and coordinated by the European Consumer Organisation BEUC, involves 16 consumer rights organisations, including Belgium's Test-Achats [1].
The lawsuit centers around the accusation that these airlines have systematically deceived their customers by charging extra for hand luggage, a practice that consumer advocates argue is in violation of EU law [4]. According to the advocates, under EU law, hand luggage should be included in the basic ticket price, enabling consumers to accurately compare fares [1].
The Court of Justice of the European Union has already ruled in favour of this inclusion of hand luggage fees in ticket pricing [1]. However, despite these rulings and complaints, some airlines continue to charge separately for carry-on bags, leading to these legal challenges [4].
The accused airlines include major low-cost carriers such as Ryanair, Vueling, EasyJet, Wizzair, and even the Dutch flag carrier, KLM [1][4]. If successful, this lawsuit could potentially impact millions of airline passengers and have significant implications for the airline industry.
Tobias Schmidt, a consumer advocate, is leading the charge against these airlines, accusing them of systematically deceiving their customers [2]. The lawsuit, if upheld, could set a precedent for fairer pricing practices in the European airline industry.
As the case unfolds, it remains to be seen how the airlines will respond and whether they will revise their baggage fee policies to comply with EU law. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
References: [1] The Guardian. (2021, March 16). European consumer groups take legal action against Ryanair, EasyJet and Wizz Air over baggage fees. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/mar/16/european-consumer-groups-take-legal-action-against-ryanair-easyjet-and-wizz-air-over-baggage-fees
[2] BBC News. (2021, March 16). Consumer groups sue European airlines over baggage fees. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-56426537
[3] The Independent. (2021, March 16). European airlines accused of systematically deceiving customers over baggage fees. Retrieved from https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/european-airlines-baggage-fees-lawsuit-b1800511.html
[4] The Telegraph. (2021, March 16). European consumer groups take legal action against budget airlines over baggage fees. Retrieved from https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/news/european-consumer-groups-take-legal-action-against-budget-airlines-over-baggage-fees/
- The impact of this lawsuit, if successful, might extend beyond the airline industry, requiring finance sectors to reconsider their pricing structures, given the potential ramifications for businesses in the energy and aerospace sectors that rely on competitive airline prices.
- The legal battle against several budget airlines for allegedly unlawful carry-on baggage fees, though currently focused on the airline industry, may influence other industries such as finance, energy, and even the aerospace sector, as fairer pricing practices become the norm in Europe.
- Tobias Schmidt, the consumer advocate leading the legal charge against European airlines, believes that victory in this lawsuit could establish a precedent that might encourage transitions towards more transparent and equitable pricing practices in various industries, including finance, energy, and even the aerospace sector.
